Roll-rug display unit



July 24, 1951 Filed June 24, 1946 K. R. JOHNSON ROLL-RUG DISPLAY UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 24, 1951 K. R. JOHNSON 2,561,375

ROLL-RUG DISPLAY UNIT Filed June 24, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 24, 1951 ROLL-RUG DISPLAY UNIT Karl E. Johnson, Rockford, Ill., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Andrew F. Wintercorn, Rockford, Ill.

Application June 24, 1946, Scrial'No. 678,812

This invention relates to roll-rug display units to facilitate handling of rolled rugs in stores and other places.

Rug salesmen have found it very awkward to handle rolled rugs, both in the unrolling of a length of rug for satisfactory display to the customer and in rewinding the rug back on the roll afterward. It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to provide a turn-table support for the rolled rug to facilitate the unwinding and rewinding of the rug, the support, furthermore, having standards on opposite sides between which an appreciable length of the rug may be extended with the nap side out so that the Storekeeper can display enough of each rolled rug to avoid the necessity in most cases for unrolling rugs for a, customer, customers being attracted by the rug display who might otherwise not become interested at all, thus greatly increasing the chances for sales.

Another object is to provide turn-tables of the kind mentioned on bases so shaped that a suitable number of rolls like four, for example, may be displayed in an attractive appearing group with their bases abutting on the sales-floor or in the show-window, each roll having the same length of rug extended between the side standards with the nap side out, making a very attractive and interesting display in a fairly compact space.

Another object is to provide a device of the kind mentioned in which one or both of the side standards carries horizontally extending arm on which a display card is carried bearing a suitable description of the rug that is being displayed and the price per yard so that each display gives the customer the complete information.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is .a perspective view of a rug display unit made in accordance with my invention, a portion of the turn-table being broken away to show the ball-bearing support;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the unit with a rug displayed thereon;

Fig. 3 is a top view on a smaller scale showing four display units in a cluster;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of another display unit of modified or alternative construction;v

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the display unit of Fig. 4 with the U-shaped frame removed, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the base of the same unit.

12 Claims. (01. 242-552) Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the display unit 1 comprises a base 8 which may be of plywood or any other suitable material adapted to rest on the floor and form a support for the turn-table 9 Which may also'be made of plywood or any other suitable material. The turn-table 9 is preferably circular and of a thickness that is small in relation. to the dimensions of the rolled rug Hi to be mounted thereon for display. Two adjoining edges I! and 12 of the base 8 are in right angle relationship so that four units can be placed with their bases 8 in abutment to form a, cluster like that illustrated in Fig. 3 for the displaying of four rolls of different kinds of rugs in a fairly compact space on the sales-floor or in the showwindow. This also permits convenient placing of two units together against a wall. Otherwise, the units may be placed in a row with the diagonals of the bases aligned so that each rug of the rowis displayed as in Fig. 2. In any event, as will soon appear, each roll is easily accessible for the unwinding of the rug for better display to the customer and rewinding of the rug back on theroll afterward. Each turn-table has a center post l3 removably mounted in a, center-hole Hi to keep the rolled rug l0 centered properly on the turn-table and prevent sidewise displacement of the roll when the rug is unwound or rewound. The rolled rug weighs enough to afford sufiicient purchase or grip on the top of the turntable to insure turning of the turn-table with the roll in the unwinding or rewinding of the rug. The anti-friction bearing support for the turn-table serves to further insure the free turning of the turn-table in these operations, the bearing shown in Fig. 1 consisting of two sheet metal disks ii, the lower one of which is suitably secured to the top of the base 8 and the upper one of which is suitably secured to the bottom of the turntable 9, and bearing balls [6 disposed between the disks and rolling in circular raceways formed therein. 1

' Standards I1 and [8 are mounted on the base 8' in the diagonally opposite corners on diametrically opposite sides of the turn-table and in radially spaced relation thereto as clearly appears in Fig. 1. U-shaped guide wires 19 and 20 are mounted on the standards by the press-fitting of the ends of the arms 2| thereof in holes provided in the standards. These guides are elevated from the base 8 to the approximate elevation of the turn-table 9 and are of a height slightly greater than the width of the rug so that an end portion 22 of the rug can be threaded through the guide l9 and extended across the display unit to the other side and entered in the guide 20, as shown in Fig. 2, thus exposing a sufficient length of the nap side 23 of the rug for good display purposes. One of the standards, in this case I1, has a horizontally extending arm 24 reaching over the rolled rug on display and carries a display card 25 on which may be given a suitable description of the rug being displayed, together with the price per yard.

The display unit 1' shown in Figst 4'- andfi is similar to that just described but the base 8' and turn-table 9' in this unit are of cast metal construction, preferably aluminum alloy; The center post l3 may be the same as that used in the other unit and is shownas'removably' re ceived in a center-hole 14' provided in the turntable 9. In this case, a U-shaped tubular frame 26 is provided, the lower ends of the arms 21 and: 2-8 of which are" entered in sockets 29 and 30 provided therefor'in the diametrically" opposite sides of the base 8, whilea top cross-portion 3| forms a support for the display card 25, Wire U-guides l9" and 26" are: provided on the arms 21 and 2 8 for reception of the end portion 22' of the rug H3 displayed on' this unit; similarly as in-the other display unit.

In. the unit 1 the base 8 has; a socket 32 in the center-of which a bearing ball 33 is provided for anti-friction support of the downwardly projiecting central bearing boss portion 34 of the turn-table, as part of the anti-friction rolling support for the turn-table on the base. The portion 34: is provided with a socket I' l to receive the center post l3. In addition, an annular track surface 35 is provided on the bottom of theturn-table near the downwardly projecting rim portion 36 and this track surface? cooperates with a number of rollers 31 that are mounted on radial axes in recessed portions 38' of the. base, four rollers being shown in equally circumfer entially spaced relation in Fig. 6.

Thetwodispiay units 1 and 'I" obviously function similarly and afford similar advantages, but the turn-table 9' of the display unit I willturn with greater freedom by virtue of the fact that there is point. support at the center on. the ball 33 and rolling support near the outer edge on the rollers 37. The base 8- may, of course, be: made of. the same shape as the base 8, if desired. In both cases, the center. post [3 is usually re.- moved when a rolled rug is to be placed on the turn-table, and it is then inserted. again. in the center-hole in the turn-table through the open.

center of the roll Thev U-shaped frame. 26- can, of course, be easily removed. from the base when the rolled rug is being placed on the turn-table, but usually it is not necessary to remove either of the standards I! and I8 from the base 8 for that purpose, although they are preferably also removable. The knock-down construction of. both units facilitates packing and shipping.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a. good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and. adaptations.

I claim:

1,. A device of the class described, comprising a. flat substantially horizontal base, a flat sub-- stan-tially horizontal support for a roll of mg; material disposed on end on a vertical: axis on said support, means for rotatably mounting said support on said base to turn approximately on;v

the aforesaid vertical axis, a pair of substantially vertical posts projecting upwardly from said base on opposite sides of said support, and rugsupporting vertical guide wires attached to said posts in closely spaced substantially parallel relation thereto through which an unwound free end portion of the rug is adapted to be extended so as to expose the nap side of the rug to view in front of said device.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, including a substantially horizontal arm on the upper end portion of at least one of said posts, carrying a placard bearing information pertinent to the rug being displayed.

32 A device as set forth in claim 1, including asubstantia-lly' horizontal cross-arm connecting the upper ends of said posts and carrying a placard bearing information pertinent to the rug being displayed. 7

4. A device as set forth in claim 1, includin a substantialiy horizontal cross-arm connecting the upper ends-of. said posts and carrying a placard bearing information pertinent to the rug being displayed, the posts being detach-ably supported at their lower ends. on said base to facilitate placing a rolled rug and the like on said support.

5. Inadevice of the class described, a base of substantially circular'forn'i having a central bearing. recess provided therein and'havi-ng rollers. mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on the peripheralv portion on substantially horizontal. axes that are radially disposed with respect. to the central bearing recess, and a turntable havin a downwardly projecting central bearing boss entered in the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the underside thereof adjacent the periphery to run on said rollers for ante-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base. there being radially projecting socket portions. on said base in circumferentially spaced relation having sockets therein on substantially vertical axes adapted to receive posts.

6. In a device of the class described, a base of. substantially circular form having a central beari'ng recess provided therein and having rollers. mounted in circumf'erentially spaced relation on, the peripheral portion on substantially horizontal. axes that are radially disposed with respect to the central bearing recess, and a turn-table having a downwardly projecting central bearing boss enteredin the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the: underside thereof adjacent the peripherytorun on said rollers for anti-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base, there being radially projecting socket portions on said base in circumfercn-tially spaced relation having sockets therein on substantially vertical axes adapted to receive posts, and said turn-tablehaving an annular downwardly projecting rim portion disposed between the periphery of said base andsaid socket portions to enclose all of the base with the exception of said socket portions.

7. In a device of the class described, a base of substantially circular form having a central bearing recess provided therein, and having rollers mounted in circumierentially spaced relation on the peripheral portion on substantially horizontal axes that are radially disposed with respect to the-central bearing recess, and a turn-table having' a downwardly projecting central bearing boss entered in the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the underside thereof adjacent the periphery to run on said rollers for anti-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base, there bein radially projecting socket portions on said base in circumferentially spaced relation having sockets therein on substantially vertical axe adapted to receive posts, and an inverted U-shaped frame, the two arms of which form substantially vertical posts demountably supported in said sockets, each of said arms having a vertical guide slot provided therein throughout the major portion of the vertical dimension thereof.

8. In a device of the class described, a base of substantially circular form having a central bearing recess provided therein and having rollers mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on the peripheral portion on substantially horizontal axes that are radially disposed with respect to the central bearing recess, and a turn-table having a downwardly projecting central bearing boss entered in the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the underside thereof adjacent the periphery to run on said rollers for anti-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base, there being radially projecting socket portion on said base in circumferentially spaced relation having sockets therein on substantially vertical axes adapted to receive posts, said turn-table having an annular downwardly projecting rim portion disposed between the periphery of said base and said socket portions to enclose all of the base with the exception of said socket portions, and an inverted U-shaped frame, the two arms of which form substantially vertical posts demountably supported in said sockets, each of said arms having a vertical guide slot provided therein throughout the major portion of the vertical dimension thereof.

9. In a device of the class described, a base of substantially circular form having a central bearing recess provided therein and having rollers mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on the peripheral portion on substantially horizontal axes that are radially disposed with respect to the central bearing recess, and a turn-table having a downwardly projecting central bearin boss entered in the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the underside thereof adjacent the periphery to run on said rollers for anti-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base, there being radially projecting socket portions on said base in circumferentially spaced relation having sockets thereon on substantially vertical axes adapted to receive posts, and two substantially vertical posts demountably supported in said sockets, each having a vertical guide slot provided therein throughout the major portion of the vertical dimension thereof.

10. In a device of the class described, a base of substantially circular form having a central bearing recess provided therein and having rollers mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on the peripheral portion on substantially horizontal axes that are radially disposed with respect to the central bearing recess, and a turntable having a downwardly projecting central bearing boss entered in the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the underside thereof adjacent the periphery to run on said rollers for anti-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base, there being radially projecting socket portions on said base in circumferentially spaced relation having sockets therein on substantially vertical axes adapted to receive posts, said turntable having an annular downwardly projecting rim portion disposed between the periphery of said base and said socket portions to enclose all of the base with the exception of said socket portions, and two substantially vertical posts demountably supported in said sockets, each having a vertical guide slot provided therein throughout the major portion of the vertical dimension thereof.

11. In a device of the class described, a base of substantially circular form having a central bearing recess provided therein and having rollers mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on the peripheral portion on substantially horizontal axes that are radially disposed with respect to the central bearing recess, and a turntable having a downwardly projecting central bearing boss entered in the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the underside thereof adjacent the periphery to run on said rollers for anti-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base, there being radially projecting socket portions on said base in circumferentially spaced relation having sockets therein on substantially vertical axes adapted to receive posts, the downwardly projecting central bearing boss on the turn-table having a socket provided therein adapted to receive a center post turning with said table.

12. In a device of the class described, a base of substantially circular form having a central bearing recess provided therein and having rollers mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on the peripheral portion on substantially horizontal axes that are radially disposed with respect to the central bearing recess, and a turntable having a downwardly projecting central bearing boss entered in the aforesaid recess in the base, and having an annular track surface provided on the underside thereof adjacent the periphery to run on said rollers for anti-friction bearing support of the turn-table on said base, there being radially projecting socket portions on said base in circumferentially spaced relation having sockets therein on substantially vertical axes adapted to receive posts, and said turntable having an annular downwardly projecting rim portion disposed between the periphery of said base and said socket portions to enclose all of the base with the exception of said socket portions, the downwardly projecting central bearing boss on the turn-table having a socket provided therein adapted to receive a center post turning with said table.

KARL R. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 133,781 Keiser Dec. 10, 1872 582,837 Walker May 18, 1897 1,708,759 Hammes Apr. 9, 1929 1,829,766 Spector et al. Nov. 3, 1931 2,068,755 Miller Jan. 26', 1937 2,135,565 Devney Nov. 8, 1938 2,310,036 Owens Feb. 2, 1943 2,416,509 Beaulieu Feb. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 236,307 Great Britain July 9, 1925 392,531 Germany Mar. 21, 1924 

